Gun store Shooting Locations It is currently Mon Mar 18, 2024 8:51 pm



Rules WGO Chat Room Gear Rent Me Shield NRA SAF CCKRBA
Calendar




Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 
 Need help with an Enfield 
Author Message
User avatar

Location: Arlington
Joined: Thu Jan 9, 2014
Posts: 515
Real Name: Kevin
Recently picked up my first Enfield and started learning. It is a NO 4 MK I* made in 1943, also made by Long Branch in Canada. Its been sporterized. It has a Parker Hale front sight, 22in barrel, Herters muzzle brake and Williams receiver rear sight. Everything looks to be a Parker Hale conversion except the rear sight and muzzle brake. Gun is fairly rough, finish on the receiver and bolt are ok but the barrel finish is almost non existant. Bore is dark and slightly pitted but has strong rifling. The forend fits loose, moves side to side. That is what I do know, what I don't know is if its actually a Parker Hale job? Is the rifle worth restoring? Or is it a $100 shooter with the barrel being threaded and 2 mistakes, I mean holes drilled and tapped for the rear sight? Thanks in advance for any help or advise.


Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:06 pm
Profile
Site Supporter
User avatar
Site Supporter

Location: RENTON
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011
Posts: 20712
Real Name: John
I would not bother restoring it with the modifications that have been made. Cut barrel with threading, extra holes and poor condition kind of makes it a lost cause in my opinion.
Too many unmolested ones exist at a fairly low price point to bother.

_________________
Mr. Q wrote: so basically, if you have to smoke some asshole, make sure they become fertilizer and then Bounce? got it.

Guntrader wrote: Huh, maybe I was an asshole.

NRA Member/RSO
SAF 5 Year Donor
GOA Member


Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:15 pm
Profile
Site Supporter
User avatar
Site Supporter

Location: Kent
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013
Posts: 1652
Real Name: Andy
Everybody has to start somewhere. And your there.
Keep it , shoot it, then sell it when you find a more desirable one. (Although I'd just keep it )
But until then you can learn how to tear down, fix and/or repair what ya got. Home gunsmith style.
Sounds like the loose fore stock is a good place to start.
I'd keep it a sporter.


Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:46 pm
Profile
Online
Site Admin
User avatar
Site Admin

Location: Renton, WA
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011
Posts: 51878
Real Name: Steve
^ I agree with both of these guys. Guns like Enfields only cost a few hundred dollars in original, unsporterized condition . . . the money to get a sporterized gun to that condition simply doesn't make sense.

_________________
Steve

Benefactor Life Member, National Rifle Association
Life Member, Second Amendment Foundation
Patriot & Life Member, Gun Owners of America
Life Member, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Legal Action Supporter, Firearms Policy Coalition
Member, NAGR/NFGR

Please support the organizations that support all of us.

Leave it cleaner than you found it.


Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:52 pm
Profile
User avatar

Location: Arlington
Joined: Thu Jan 9, 2014
Posts: 515
Real Name: Kevin
That's kinda the responses I thought I would get. This whole thing started with my uncle wanting me to look at the rifle for him. I like to mess around with a little armature gunsmithing (yes I know my limits!) I told him it prob wasn't worth restoring so he said keep it. Thanks for the quick responses and sounds like maybe I have another opportunity to learn something and improve my skills.


Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:07 pm
Profile
Site Supporter
User avatar
Site Supporter

Location: Snohomish County
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012
Posts: 1146
I restored a sporterized Enfield and found it a very worthwhile experience.

Is it "worth it" in the sense that you'll increase the value for resale? Probably not. But I learned a ton working on mine, so if there's value in the experience for you, then go for it.


Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:26 am
Profile
User avatar

Location: Arlington
Joined: Thu Jan 9, 2014
Posts: 515
Real Name: Kevin
I have started playing around with it. At this point I think I will keep it a sporter but clean it up and make it as nice as I can without throwing too much good money after bad. And yes it's all about the experience.


Tue Jul 18, 2017 5:46 am
Profile
Site Supporter
User avatar
Site Supporter

Location: Mohave Valley Arizona
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011
Posts: 13371
Real Name: Casey
you could shorten the barrel some more and make it into a Jungle Carbine or Tanker....

_________________
Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, All models are over 18 years of age, upon approval of credit, Quantities are limited while supplies last, Some restrictions apply, Not available with other offers, At participating locations only, Void where prohibited, Above terms subject to change without notice, Patent pending.


See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/


Tue Jul 18, 2017 6:28 am
Profile WWW
Site Supporter / FFL Dealer
User avatar
Site Supporter / FFL Dealer

Location: Lake Andes, S. Dakota
Joined: Thu Aug 8, 2013
Posts: 1249
Real Name: Mark
Keep an eye on your headspace!

SMLE's have different bolt head's to allow adjustment of headspace.

Why? Because it always creeps on a SMELLY (SMLE).

Another option for SMLE's with long headspace is to ream to .303 Epps, a wildcat with extended shoulders and more powder room.

Have fun!

_________________
"To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." - Thomas Jefferson




Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:01 am
Profile WWW
User avatar

Location: Arlington
Joined: Thu Jan 9, 2014
Posts: 515
Real Name: Kevin
I thought about shortening the barrel even further and making more of a scout rifle with the rear Williams peep. After all its not like I'm going to hurt the value at this point! The head space is a bit of a concern and will be checking before ignition. Thanks to all for the support. This site is pretty cool for people with knowledge and their willingness to share it.


Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:46 pm
Profile
Site Supporter
User avatar
Site Supporter

Location: Snohomish County
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012
Posts: 1146
You could always build a De Lisle carbine from it

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Lisle_carbine

That'd be awesome.


Wed Jul 19, 2017 10:35 pm
Profile
User avatar

Location: bellingham
Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017
Posts: 759
Real Name: Mark
3584ELK wrote:

Another option for SMLE's with long headspace is to ream to .303 Epps, a wildcat with extended shoulders and more powder room.

Have fun!

His does nothing as Enfields headspace on the rim and not the shoulder. Rechambering to Epps will not fix excess headspace.

To make matters worse, most headspace gauges available in the States are to SAMMI standard and not United Kingdom military standards.


Fri Nov 10, 2017 2:34 am
Profile
Site Supporter
User avatar
Site Supporter

Location: Mohave Valley Arizona
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011
Posts: 13371
Real Name: Casey
3584ELK wrote:
Keep an eye on your headspace!

SMLE's have different bolt head's to allow adjustment of headspace.

Why? Because it always creeps on a SMELLY (SMLE).

Another option for SMLE's with long headspace is to ream to .303 Epps, a wildcat with extended shoulders and more powder room.

Have fun!



I know all about that.....

http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2014/0 ... rifle.html

_________________
Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, All models are over 18 years of age, upon approval of credit, Quantities are limited while supplies last, Some restrictions apply, Not available with other offers, At participating locations only, Void where prohibited, Above terms subject to change without notice, Patent pending.


See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/


Fri Nov 10, 2017 7:03 am
Profile WWW
Online
Site Supporter
User avatar
Site Supporter

Location: Tacoma
Joined: Sat May 4, 2013
Posts: 6171
Hal O'Peridol wrote:
3584ELK wrote:

Another option for SMLE's with long headspace is to ream to .303 Epps, a wildcat with extended shoulders and more powder room.

Have fun!

His does nothing as Enfields headspace on the rim and not the shoulder. Rechambering to Epps will not fix excess headspace.

To make matters worse, most headspace gauges available in the States are to SAMMI standard and not United Kingdom military standards.

This ^^^


Fri Nov 10, 2017 8:32 am
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic   [ 14 posts ] 

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum



Rules WGO Chat Room Gear Rent Me NRA SAF CCKRBA
Calendar


Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
Designed by ST Software for PTF.
[ Time : 0.660s | 17 Queries | GZIP : Off ]